The guidance for local church employment has again been updated. (It can be found via the What we do menu under Grants and Funding, and Resources menu under Docs and Policies.)
The draft Staff Handbook (Staff Handbook Eastern Synod – Ekklesia URC.docx) is based on up- to-date policies from CBR Business Solutions which were adapted for the Synod staff, and then drawn together into one file and adapted for local church use. It is a large document, and as an employer you should be aware of its contents and adapt it further, if required, for the specifics of your situation. As CBR policies change, and Synod ones do in turn, it will be updated.
The Elders meeting takes on responsibility for that employment, and all that entails. As a Synod we want to ensure that any employment by a local church is done properly, effectively, and simply.
Find employment guidance here.
Updated policies:
- Parental Bereavement Leave 2026
- Parental Leave 2026
- Paternity Leave 2026
- Sexual Harassment at Work WorkFlow (Whistleblower Protection) 2026
- Sexual Harassment Prevention and Action Policy 2026
- Shared Parental Leave and Pay 2026
- Sickness Absence 2026
- Whistleblowing 2026
New
- Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave 2026
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Template Letter for changes 6 April 2026
Employee contracts will advise of their right to SSP and it may just state that this will be in line with current statutory requirements, which is fine. However, if it states there is a waiting period or earnings requirement this will no longer apply.
We have produced a template letter to inform all staff of SSP changes.
